The Rest Of Thom Yorke’s Best Dance Mash-Ups

Posted 02/24/2011 4:30:21 pm
by MTV News.

While fans and critics alike are still picking apart the merits and meanings behind Radiohead‘s new album The King of Limbs (and also discussing the rumors that it’s merely the first part of a multiple-volume series of releases, any of which could appear at any moment), there is one aspect of it that people have agreed on universally: The image of Thom Yorke dancing remains fascinating and hypnotic.

On Wednesday (February 23), the MTV Newsroom blog presented its five favorite video mash-ups of the Radiohead frontman dancing to various songs, including Ginuwine’s “Pony” and Guns N’ Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle.” And while those entries remain favorites, they barely scratch the surface of what is out there. So here are five more can’t-miss entries in what is quickly becoming the best Internet meme of 2011.

“Thom and Kanye”
While Yorke’s moves don’t necessarily have any roots in ballet, he does slip seamlessly into Weezy’s video for “Runaway” (which featured a whole gaggle of ballerinas).

“Lotus Flower (Like a G6)”
As anyone who has attempted to get down on the floor to Far East Movement’s “Like a G6″ knows, it’s sort of difficult to find a good mix of dance moves to marry to that song. But Yorke appears to have solved that problem, as his collection of gesticulations seems to work well with the track.

“Thom Yorke Dances to Footloose”
The greatest thing about the video of Thom Yorke dancing is that it can completely change meaning depending on what song is being played underneath it. The original song, “Lotus Flower,” makes Yorke’s moves seem desperate, twitchy and intense. But when you add Kenny Loggins’ “Footloose,” it becomes a fun and fancy-free romp.

“Radiohead Vs. Cotton Eyed Joe”
If you are familiar with the cult classic dance tune “Cotton Eyed Joe” (by Swedish faux-country dance collective Rednex), then you have probably been a cheerleader or went to a middle school dance at some point between 1994 and 1996. This one doesn’t match up as well as some of the others, but then again, it reminds the world that “Cotton Eyed Joe” exists.

“Thom Yorke Whips His Hair”
Yorke wears a hat for the duration of the “Lotus Flower” video, which makes it difficult for the singer to actually whip his hair. But when Willow Smith gets to the “shake’em off” line and Yorke starts twitching, it becomes truly transcendent.

What’s your favorite Thom Yorke dancing video? Did we miss any great ones? Let us know in the comments!